CIT Co-Responder

Wyandot Behavioral Health Network•Kansas City, KS

13h

About The Position

The CIT Co-Responder is a Wyandot Center employee embedded within the Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Department. The role responds alongside law enforcement to calls involving people who may have mental health or substance use concerns. The Co-Responder supports de-escalation, assesses immediate clinical and practical needs, works toward crisis stabilization, and connects people with appropriate mental health, substance use, social, and medical services. Services are provided to adults and youth. The position is 40 hours per week, primarily in the community, with office space and a vehicle provided by the Sheriff’s Department. A Sheriff’s Department-provided cell phone, pager, and police radio must be carried during work hours. Successful completion of 40-hour CIT Officer Training is required within six months of hire. The Co-Responder conducts clinical assessments and psychiatric screens; evaluates suicide and other safety risks; coordinates referrals, benefits, and follow-up; and conducts hospital admission screens as needed. The role works closely with law enforcement and crisis-intervention personnel, with law enforcement retaining lead responsibility at scenes and making final disposition decisions. The Co-Responder must follow applicable Wyandot Center and Sheriff’s Department policies, safety protocols, clinical standards, confidentiality requirements, and documentation expectations. The position also contributes to program development, data monitoring and reporting, training, and coordination with community providers and crisis services.

Requirements

Be a Qualified or Licensed Mental Health Professional; preference is given to candidates with clinical licensure.
Hold a master’s degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or another mental-health-related field.
Hold current Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board licensure, such as LMSW, LMFT, LPC, LMLP, LCP, or LSCSW.
Have experience providing crisis intervention services.
Be familiar with trauma-informed systems of care.
Have excellent interpersonal and oral and written communication skills.
Have relevant experience in mental health emergency services.
Recognize and be sensitive to cultural and ethnic differences.
Be able to establish effective working relationships with personnel across law enforcement and mental health service systems.
Be able to provide direction for programming and planning purposes.
Successfully complete the 40-hour CIT Officer Training within six months of hire.
Pass Kansas Child Abuse/Neglect Registry clearance, a criminal background check, and a driving record check.
Provide proof of a current, non-suspended, non-expired driver’s license.
Be able to safely perform essential job functions, with or without reasonable accommodations.

Nice To Haves

Clinical licensure.

Responsibilities

Respond with law enforcement to calls involving individuals with suspected mental health or substance use concerns and assist with de-escalation and crisis stabilization.
Assess immediate needs, including suicidal or homicidal ideation, psychosis, psychiatric services, housing, food, medications, and medical issues.
Conduct comprehensive clinical assessments, inpatient psychiatric screens, and assessments of suicide and other safety risks; identify needs and diagnose substance use and mental health disorders.
Determine whether medication evaluation or referral is needed and communicate relevant information to individuals, families, and other stakeholders.
Work with law enforcement and crisis-intervention personnel to problem-solve complex situations and develop immediate intervention plans.
Coordinate referrals to community mental health, substance use, medical, social service, and other resources; facilitate benefits activation for eligible individuals.
Work with individuals until they are linked with community providers able to assume ongoing treatment.
Conduct hospital admission screens and oversee admission processes as needed.
Develop intervention plans intended to prevent or reduce jail and hospital admissions when other interventions can meet the individual’s needs.
Respond quickly to calls during shifts and follow Sheriff’s Department scene-entry and safety protocols.
Meet individuals at the hospital and remain until disposition is determined when an emergency-room visit is needed and law enforcement transports the individual.
Complete occurrence or incident reports as necessary and maintain accurate, timely documentation in the electronic health record and other required tracking documents.
Follow up with people referred to Wyandot Center services by reviewing records, attempting contact by phone or in person, and coordinating with treatment teams.
Maintain effective communication with law enforcement personnel, mental health providers, Center staff, and the 24/7 crisis-line contractor.
Participate in CIT training for law enforcement officers, ride-alongs, shift-change updates, and other program-related activities, including data collection, reports, conferences, and relevant trainings.
Monitor program data and develop reports to support accountability.
Contribute to program development and demonstrate solution-focused leadership, flexibility, and creativity in clinical service delivery.
Adhere to Medicaid, state licensing, grant, contractual, confidentiality, release-of-information, record-keeping, and other applicable requirements.
Provide professional, customer-focused service and help strengthen community relationships.